How to Make the Most of Pet Insurance

There’s no question that the cost of veterinary care is on the rise.

In fact, a recently released report suggests that pet owners may end up spending more money on the health of their pet than they do on their own healthcare.

That’s a surprising figure, especially considering that this particular report was issued in the United States, where healthcare is already prohibitively expensive for a large swathe of the population.

In many other parts of the world, people enjoy more comprehensive healthcare coverage – but these same rights, of course, do not extend to their pets. This makes it all the more important for pet owners to make special arrangements for their pet’s healthcare. Given the soaring costs of veterinary care, taking out comprehensive pet insurance is one of the most important things an owner can do for their pet.

But merely taking out a pet insurance policy isn’t necessarily enough. There are a few additional steps you can take to ensure that you make the most of your pet’s policy. We’ll go over a few of those steps in the space below:

• Know the Difference between Various Types of Coverage. Not all pet insurance policies are the same. Some only provide coverage in the case of an accident, in which case the insurer will take responsibility of a set percentage of the veterinary bills after a deductible has been met. Other policies will cover illnesses but not accidents, while a comprehensive policy will roll both forms of coverage into one.
• Shop around for the Vets. As with human healthcare, the cost of veterinary healthcare will vary from one provider to the next, but this doesn’t always mean that you are receiving variable levels of care. Spend some time shopping around for the best value veterinary care provider so that you can, in turn, get greater value out of your pet’s insurance policy.
• Commit to Routine Health Check-ups. Just as with people, routine health check-ups go a long way toward ensuring a long and healthy life for your pet. They will also give your vet the chance to detect potential problems before they escalate. Even if your deductible means that you’ll have to cover the cost of those check-ups, you could still end up saving money in the long run. You’ll also be doing your pet a favor by putting its health first.
• Check with Your Insurer before Major Procedures. It’s always a good idea to check with your insurer before committing to a major operation. In addition to pre-authorizing the operation, they may be able to refer you to another facility with better or more affordable coverage.

Your household pet is a bona-fide member of the family, and it deserves to have a healthy comfortable life. With comprehensive coverage in place, that’s exactly what it will receive. And you’ll have the peace of mind that goes with knowing you’ve done everything you can to ensure you enjoy many healthy years together.

 

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